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I named these socks after my great-aunt Cotty. When I first learned to knit she requested just one thing... a pink lace cashmere scarf. She loved all things lace and cashmere! She passed away two years ago, before I had truly fallen for both sock knitting and cashmere.
I think she would have loved these, and would have requested a pair in pink for her birthday in May.
The Plucky Knitter MCN Sport, colorway Early Light
Now, as most of you know, as much as I love the merino cashmere nylon sock yarns lately, my heart truly belongs to Socks that Rock. My goal with these socks were to design a pattern that worked well with both semi-solid yarns and variegated yarns. I think I worked it out!
Blue Moon Fiber Arts Socks that Rock mediumweight
shown in one of my favorite colorways from Camp Knittyhaha
Pattern: Cotty
Notes: Instructions are written for a cuff-down sock. However, they can easily be modified to a toe-up pattern. Sizes are provided for either a sport/dk weight yarn or a fingering weight yarn.
Yarn: 250 yards of sport/dk weight yarn is enough for up to a women's size 8 ½ -9 shoe size. There was approximately 1 yard of yarn leftover. If knitting for a longer sock, you will need either a second skein, or modify the pattern by knitting a shorter cuff (e.g., 5" instead of 6"). Shown in The Plucky Knitter Merino Cashmere Nylon Sport, 250 yards/skein; 1 skein colorway Early Light for sport size; or 350 yards of fingering weight yarn. Shown in BMFA Socks that Rock mediumweight, 380 yards/skein; 1 skein colorway Beached for fingering size.
Needles: Size US 3 (3.25mm) or size to obtain gauge for sport size; Size US 1.5 (2.5mm) or size to obtain gauge for fingering size
Gauge: 24 sts = 4" over st st for sport size or 28 sts = 4" over st st for fingering size
Size: adult women's average/medium
Finished measurements: 8" foot circumference; 6" approximate leg length
As always, feel free to contact me if you have any questions at irishgirlieknits AT gmail DOT com
Happy May!


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The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) recently released full-year 2011 world oil production data. In this post, I would like show some graphs of recent data, and provide some views as to where this leads with respect to future production.
World oil supply is not growing very much
Figure 1. World crude oil and other "liquids" supply has dropped below the 1983-2005 trend line in recent years. Actual data is from EIA International Petroleum Monthly, through December 2011.
The fitted line in Figure 1 suggests a "normal" growth in oil supplies (including substitutes) of 1.6% a year, based on the 1983 to 2005 pattern, or total growth of 10.2% between 2005 and 20011. Instead of 10.2%, actual growth between 2005 and 2010 amounted to only 3.0% including crude oil and substitutes.
The shortfall in oil production relative to what would have been expected based on the 1983-2005 growth pattern amounted to 4.7 million barrels in 2011. This is far more than any country claims as spare capacity. This is no doubt one of the reasons why oil prices are as high they are now. These high oil prices tend to interfere with economic growth of oil importing nations.
The shortfall in growth especially occurred in crude oil. Figure 2, below, shows crude oil production separately from substitutes.
Figure 2. World oil and other liquids supply, broken out into crude and condensate, natural gas plant liquids, other liquids (mostly ethanol), and processing gain (increase in volume from refining heavy oil), based on EIA data.
Between 2005 and 2011, crude oil production rose only 0.5%. It was mostly the substitutes that grew.
Top Oil Producers
The top five crude oil producers in 2011, based on the new data are
1. Russia – 9.8 million barrels a day (mbd)
2. Saudi Arabia – 9.5 mbd
3. United States – 5.7 mbd
4. China – 4.1 mbd
5. Iran – 4.1 mbd
The top five producers when substitute liquids of various kinds are included are the same countries, but in a different order. On this basis, the US also appears to be closer to catching up to the top two.
1. Saudi Arabia – 11.2 mbd
2. Russia – 10.2 mbd
3. United States – 10.1 mbd
4. China – 4.3 mbd
5. Iran – 4.2 mbd
While substitute liquids are OK, they are not really crude oil. Natural gas liquids are the largest category. In the US, they sell for a little less than half as much as crude oil, based on the composition and costs shown in this post. On an energy content basis, they provide about 70% as much energy per barrel as crude oil.
"Other liquids" has also been growing. It is mostly ethanol, which has about 60% of the energy content of crude oil per barrel. This category also includes biodiesel, liquid fuels made from coal or from natural gas, and even a mixture of water with very heavy oil called "Orinoco emulsion".
There is also growth in "processing gain". This term refers to the extra volume that is gained when long hydrocarbons of heavy oil are"cracked" into shorter molecules. The EIA assigns this growth back to the country doing the refining. The US comes out ahead in this comparison because it imports a lot of heavy oil, and uses its complex refineries to crack it into shorter chains, such as diesel fuel and gasoline. If the heavy oil imports were to go to another country with complex refineries (such as China), the processing gain would go with it.
Looking at the Top Five Oil Producers
Of the top five oil producers, only the US and China have been growing very rapidly, and China's growth now seems to be hitting limits. Let's look at the five largest countries individually.
Russian Oil Production
Between 2005 and 2011, Russia's oil production (including substitutes) grew by 7.5%. This is better than the world average of 3.0%, but still falls short of the expected growth between 2005 and 2011 of 10.2%, mentioned above, based on the 1983 to 2005 world growth pattern.
Figure 3. Russia oil and other liquids production based on EIA data.
In 2011, Russia's crude oil production grew by 0.6%. Growth may be slowing even further in the future. Russian Economic Minister, Elvira Nabiullina, was recently quoted as saying that Russia's possibilities for crude oil growth have been exhausted and that Russia's oil output will stabilize at the 2011 level for the next 20 years.
Saudi Arabian Oil Production
Figure 4 (below) shows that Saudi Arabia's oil production has not increased much on an annual basis since 2005.
Figure 4. Saudi Arabia oil and other liquids production, based on EIA data.
Looking at crude oil only, Saudi Arabia's production is down by 0.8% since 2005. If one includes natural gas plant liquids (mostly ethane, propane, and butane), Saudi Arabia's oil production for the year 2011 is up by 0.6% since 2005. This is less than the world average of 3.0%.
Saudi Arabia's oil production bounces around. Admittedly, for some individual months, Saudi Arabia has broken its own record for crude oil production, but there is no pattern of continuously increasing production, such as is needed to increase world oil supply.
United States Oil Production
US oil production is growing (total liquids supply increased by 21.2% between 2005 and 2011), but the major portion of the growth is coming from oil substitutes.
Figure 5. US oil and other liquids production, based on EIA data.
A comparison of the thickness of non-blue bands on the US graph with those of the world (Figure 2) and with other countries shows how disproportionate the US mixture is.
If we look at US crude oil production by area of the country, we see that while Bakken production in North Dakota has been growing, it is still a small proportion of US total production.
Figure 6. US crude oil production by area, based on EIA data.
Before the shale oil rush, the biggest growth in US oil production had been from what I have called "deepwater"(what is called "Federal Offshore" in the EIA data). This production is down by over 200,000 barrels a day in 2011, more than double the growth in North Dakota production.
The other recent area of oil production growth is Texas. While EIA data does not break the production out by field, higher production of oil from Eagle Ford shale is likely a major contributor.
China's Oil Production
China's oil production plateaued in 2011, after many years of strong growth.
Figure 7. China oil and other liquids production, based on EIA data.
Figure 7 shows that China's oil production for 2011 slightly decreased. The Financial Times recently reported that part of the problem is an outage of over 150,000 barrels a day in the Penglai 19-3 field, which reduced production starting in September 2011, but is now coming back on line. But even apart from this, China is reported to be struggling to find new production to offset declines in aging fields. The Financial Times calls the outlook "challenging".
If China's oil production fails to grow in the future, or declines, it means that China will need to import even more oil than it has in the recent past. This will put even more pressure on world oil supply.
Iran's Oil Production
Iran is constantly in the news with discussions of more sanctions and the possibility of cutting off Iran's oil exports. While it is listed above as fifth in world oil production, it is almost tied with China for fourth in world oil production.
Figure 8. Iran oil and other liquids production, based on EIA data.
Iran's oil production hit a high point in 2005, and is down slightly from that level. Its exports are down even more:
Figure 8. Crude oil and natural gas liquids production (gray), consumption (black line) and exports (green). Data is from BP, and only through 2010. Graph from Energy Export Data Browser.
The fact that Iran's oil production is not growing is no doubt one of the reasons it is interested in electricity production from nuclear energy.
In my view, Iran's oil exports of over 2 million barrels a day are very much needed to maintain reasonable stability in world oil prices. We would be better off finding a different way to settle our differences with Iran than cutting off exports.
Other Areas of Interest
The North Sea has been a problem area, with declining production. EIA data does not show this grouping separate. Instead it shows data for Europe in total.
Europe has surprisingly low oil production. On a crude oil basis, Europe's 2011 production is below that of Iran (3.4 mbd for Europe, and 4.1 mbd for Iran). With the various substitutes included, Europe's production is approximately equal to that of China – 4.3 mbd, and slightly ahead of Iran's at 4.2 mbd.
Figure 9. Europe oil and other liquids production, based on EIA data.
Clearly Europe has a very serious problem with falling oil production. In 2011 alone, crude oil production was down by 8.9%, and more broadly defined liquids were down by 7.4%. Europe's declining oil production is no doubt contributing to it financial problems.
In contrast to Europe, there are a number of bright spots with respect to world oil supply.
Canada's oil supply is increasing:
Figure 10. Canada oil and other liquids supply, based on EIA data.
Of course, one of the issues relating to Canada is that quite a bit of the increase is from the oil sands. This production is of concern for environmental reasons.
The Former Soviet Union excluding Russia is another area where production has been increasing, at least until recently.
Figure 11. Former Soviet Union (FSU) excluding Russia oil and other liquids supply, based on EIA data.
The graph would seem to suggest that production may have plateaued in this area, as well.
Qatar is a small country, but is showing rapidly increasing production from a small base:
Figure 12. Qatar oil and other liquids production, based on EIA data.
Iraq is often mentioned as an area which may have increased production in the future.
Figure 13. Iraq oil and other liquids production based on EIA data.
Figure 13 shows that there really hasn't been a huge increase in production so far. Past history is so unstable that it raises questions about Iran's ability to ramp up production in the future.
Libya is mentioned as having a possibility of increasing production, at least relative to the drop off in 2011.
Figure 14. Libya oil and other liquids production, based on EIA data.
While some increase from the 800,000 barrels a day production seems likely, it may never fully get back to its old level. A recent analysis says Oil Production Still Unstable in Libya. According to this article, security concerns are likely to hold back future investment by outside companies in Libyan production, and sluggish political decision-making is likely to hold back actions of Libya's National Oil Company.
Various African countries are mentioned from time to time as providing new sources of production. But when we look at African production, excluding that of Libya, we see that at least so far, African production, excluding Libya, is on a plateau.
Figure 15. Africa excluding Libya oil and other liquids production, based on EIA data.
Brazil is also mentioned as a growth opportunity.
Figure 16. Brazil oil and other liquids production, based on EIA data.
The actual increases to date have been small, however. Crude oil production in 2011 increased by only about 51,000 barrels a day over 2010. Ethanol production decreased, so that total liquids production decreased slightly in 2011.
It is easy to find small opportunities where it looks possible to increase oil production, but on a world-wide basis, it appears likely that at best, very slow growth will continue. The oil production of China and Russia were previously increasing, but now seem to be hitting plateaus. Even smaller groupings, such as the FSU excluding Russia, seem to be hitting plateaus.
Future prospects for oil supply look to be worse, especially if Iranian exports are taken off line, or if there are unexpected surprises on the downside. One concern is that political disruptions may take oil production offline in additional countries. Another is that financial disruptions (perhaps related to European debt defaults) may lead to lower oil prices, cutting off some marginal supply.
On balance, it would appear that at best oil production in the near future will be virtually flat, leading to more spiking of oil prices and greater world economic problems. Another possibility is that world production will begin to decline. The likelihood of decline would appear to be increased if more oil exporters encounter political disruptions, or if the world enters a major recession leading to an oil price decline.
By. Gail Tverberg
Gail Tverberg is a writer and speaker about energy issues. She is especially known for her work with financial issues associated with peak oil. Prior to getting involved with energy issues, Ms. Tverberg worked as an actuarial consultant. This work involved performing insurance-related analyses and forecasts. Her personal blog is ourfiniteworld.com. She is also an editor of The Oil Drum.

subset: commoncrawl


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Message Board
Juliana Garnett Message Board
Talk about the novels, new and used books that Garnett has written!
Author Garnett's Book Reviews
The Laird
Jove, Oct 2002, 6.99, 320 pp. ISBN: 0515133884 In 1327 the war between the Scottish and English monarchy heats up and impacts everyone in both lands. Robert Campbell knows how deadly the fight is becoming, having lost family members to his dangerous foes. Still he successfully captures Mairi, the child-fiancee to a powerful rival. In addition to his young prisoner, Robert also incarcerates Mairi's guardian, her widowed aunt by marriage Judith ...
The Vow


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18-140mm |
$497 average price |
Your purchases support this site
Buy the Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED DX VR AF-S Nikkor
SLRgear Review
May 13, 2015
by Andrew Alexander
The Nikon 18-140mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 is Nikon's latest ''kit'' lens, sold optionally with the D5XXX and D7XXX series of digital SLR camera. The lens is designed to fit a camera with an APS-C (''subframe'') sensor, so while it will mount on Nikon film or FX digital bodies, it will show obvious vignetting when set to any focal length. The lens appears to replace the older 18-135mm lens, which did not come equipped with VR image stabilization.
Small and light, the 18-140mm represents a field of view of approximately 27-210mm in 35mm terms. To economize and create a more efficient design, the lens is equipped with a variable aperture; as the zoom extends the focal length, both the largest and smallest apertures change. The following chart represents the largest and smallest apertures you can expect at a given focal length:
Focal length (mm) | 18 | 24 | 35 | 50 | 70 | 140 |
Max. aperture | ƒ/3.5 | ƒ/3.8 | ƒ/4.2 | ƒ/4.8 | ƒ/5 | ƒ/5.6 |
Min. aperture | ƒ/22 | ƒ/25 | ƒ/29 | ƒ/32 | ƒ/32 | ƒ/36 |
The lens is equipped with Nikon's vibration reduction (VR) technology, advertising a hand-holding improvement of up to three stops. The lens does not ship with the compatible HB-32 petal-shaped hood, takes 67mm filters, and is available at a MSRP of $600.
The 18-140mm ƒ/3.5-5.6 provides very sharp results, at least as good as its recent contemporaries and better than previous designs in the same focal length range.
Perhaps the best word to describe the sharpness profile of the 18-140mm is 'consistent'. With most zoom lenses, especially in the ''kit'' category, the designer must juggle a variety of factors, not the least of which is the cost of the design. Frequently a lens will be a good wide-angle performer, only to suffer when used at full telephoto; or, vice versa. This is not the case with the 18-140mm, which shows excellent performance at all focal lengths.
The 18-140mm is sharp wide open at all focal lengths, with a small amount of corner softness; typically, there is a large region of central sharpness (the ''sweet spot'') , and corners soften very slightly. Stopping down by just one aperture setting improves this performance; best results are obtained in the 35-50mm range, where corner softness is minimal. By ƒ/11, the lens reaches its optimal performance at all focal lengths, though for the mid-range (again, 35-50mm) the differences between ƒ/8 and ƒ/11 are negligible.
If there's a weakness in the lens at all, it would be performance at 140mm, where image sharpness doesn't quite reach the level seen at other focal lengths. However you'd be hard-pressed to see the quality difference in practical use.
Performance with the lens fully stopped-down isn't as good, but this is to be expected. If you need to stop down the lens, keeping it at the ƒ/22 will give you very good results. The lens is capable of stopping down further, between ƒ/25 and ƒ/36 (depending on the focal length), but at these apertures diffraction takes quite a toll on image sharpness.
Chromatic Aberration
There's a bit more chromatic aberration present in images than we've seen in previous offerings from Nikon, but probably not so much to be objectionable; the corners of all of our test images exhibit a slight amount of dark blue fringing around areas of high contrast.
Shading (''Vignetting'')
The Nikon 18-140mm exhibits a fair amount of corner shading when the lens is used wide open or at wider apertures; in the worst example, 18mm at ƒ/3.5, the very corners of the image are 3/4 EV darker than the center of the image. This shading decreases as the lens is stopped down, but only really goes away if you stop down to the ƒ/8 or ƒ/11 aperture (or smaller).
Distortion has always been a feature of Nikon's consumer-level zoom lenses, and the 18-140mm has not improved in this regard. There is no focal length setting where the lens has been optimized to produce a distortion-free image. The distortion profile for the lens varies widely with the focal length being used.
At the wider angle focal lengths (18-21mm), distortion is distinctly of the ''barrel'' type, with the center of the image pushing outward from the middle. This form of distortion is easier to correct in image post-processing software, as both the edges and the center of the image are barrel-distorted. At its widest point (18mm) the edges of the image show over 1% barrel distortion.
From 24mm onwards, we see a complex distortion profile: the edges of the image exhibit pincushion-style distortion (the edges of the image are ''pulled'' into the frame) while the center exhibits barrel distortion. The effect isn't dramatically evident - but if you need your photographs to show straight lines as truly straight, then you're in for a bit of a surprise. Straight lines will show the ''moustache'' effect, where they bend one way at one edge, another way in the center, and then back the first way at the other edge. This form of distortion is fairly consistent from 50-105mm; fortunately, it's not especially severe, at around 0.4% barrel distortion in the center and -0.7% pincushion distortion at the edges.
Autofocus Operation
As an AF-S lens, autofocus operation is quick and virtually silent. The 18-140mm will work on all Nikon camera bodies that support SWM (silent wave motor) lenses. Autofocus results can be overridden at any time by simply turning the focus ring.
The 18-140mm isn't designed for macro work, but is holds its own with a respectable 1:4.3 reproduction ratio (0.23x magnification). Minimum close-focusing range is 45cm (almost one and a half feet) from the image sensor; from the end of the lens, you're looking at about 28cm (11 inches).
Build Quality and Handling
The 18-140mm is a solid lens, composed of polycarbonate plastic with a textured black matte finish. Compared to the 18-135mm, it's just slightly longer and wider, and 35 grams heavier (420g), no doubt to accommodate the VR system. It uses the same 67mm filters, which don't rotate during focus or zoom operation. The lens doesn't have the fit and finish of previous kit lenses; there is no distance scale, and consequently no depth-of-field markings. Focal lengths are marked on the lens near the zoom ring, but that's about it. Two control switches are available on the lens' left side: one which enables or disables autofocus (A or M) and one which enables or disables vibration reduction (ON or OFF).
The zoom ring is the major feature of the lens, mounted forward of the focus ring. It's over 1 3/4 inches wide and is composed of a thick ribbed rubber texture which is very easy to grip. The zoom action of the lens is not internal, so the lens will extend almost 2 extra inches at the 140mm end. The zoom ring travels roughly 90 degrees in its range. There is a nice resistance in the zoom action, such that I doubt zoom creep will be a problem with this lens.
The focus ring of the lens significantly smaller than the zoom ring, only 3/8 of an inch in width. It's made of plastic, and does have a nice texture with raised ridges, and the difference in sizes means you won't accidentally turn the wrong ring (provided you remember which ring does what).
For a lens hood, Nikon offers as an optional accessory the HB-32 hood, a plastic, petal-shaped lens hood that attaches via a bayonet mount and can be reversed for storage. The lens isn't flocked on the inside but does a decent job shielding the front element from sun coming in at oblique angles. The lens hood adds an additional 1.25 inches to the overall length of the lens, and will run you around $13.
The lens comes equipped with VR image stabilization. While it's not as impressive at the lens' wide-angle setting, it does live up to Nikon's claims of four stops of hand-holding improvement, when used at 140mm. Check out our IS test tab for more detail.
Nikon 18-135mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G ~$?
The older 18-135mm was actually slightly sharper than the newer 18-140mm, but lacked the VR image stabilization of its siblings. The new lens is slightly larger and heavier, but these aren't large lenses to begin with.
Nikon 18-105mm ƒ/3.5-5.6G ~$400
If you are actually shopping around for a lens in this category, the 18-105mm offers slightly sharper results, at the expense of zoom range, at a slightly cheaper price.
Sigma 17-70mm ƒ/2.8-4 DC Macro OS HSM ~$400
It doesn't offer the same telephoto zoom distance, but we were impressed with Sigma's sharpness, and its wider variable aperture offers slightly more light-gathering ability, for slightly less than the 18-140mm.
The Nikon 18-135mm was the only kit lens in Nikon's lineup that didn't feature VR image stabilization; the 18-140mm updates that, and adds a small bump in telephoto distance. The 18-140mm is not significantly better than the 18-135mm, other than including this technology, but I imagine from a production point of view it just makes sense to keep the entire lineup of lenses as similar as possible.
For the most part, this probably isn't a lens you'll upgrade to, but rather from, however it's worth knowing that it's a quality optic that's included in most camera kit packages.
Product Photos
Sample Photos
Click here for Real-world Gallery Images on our Flickr page!
The VFA target should give you a good idea of sharpness in the center and corners, as well as some idea of the extent of barrel or pincushion distortion and chromatic aberration, while the Still Life subject may help in judging contrast and color. We shoot both images using the default JPEG settings and manual white balance of our test bodies, so the images should be quite consistent from lens to lens.
As appropriate, we shoot these with both full-frame and sub-frame bodies, at a range of focal lengths, and at both maximum aperture and ƒ/8. For the ''VFA'' target (the viewfinder accuracy target from Imaging Resource), we also provide sample crops from the center and upper-left corner of each shot, so you can quickly get a sense of relative sharpness, without having to download and inspect the full-res images. To avoid space limitations with the layout of our review pages, indexes to the test shots launch in separate windows.
Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED DX VR AF-S Nikkor
Your purchases support this site
Nikon F - Black
Nikon 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED DX VR AF-S Nikkor User Reviews
great walk around lens; light and easy to handle; for a kit lens, it is sharp, with accurate focus, and the VR is a great benefitfor a kit lens none
this lens is on my D7100 most of the time, considering the price, there is not much to complain about
reviewed May 31st, 2017 (purchased for $400) -
Good zoom range, very sharp for a lower cost zoom, great value, makes a good kit lens and would do as an only lens when travelling.High vignetting and distortion (corrected in camera for jpg or in lens profile in Photoshop). No focus distance scale. Mean not include the lens hood as standard.
What incredible value, especially if you don't buy the full retail boxed item. Good value if bought as part of kit, or like me, as a Nikon refurbished model (and with a 20% discount on top of that).
reviewed March 19th, 2017 (purchased for $221)
I am using this with a Nikon D5500 and also have a D90. Some time ago I had the excellent Nikon 18-105 VR but gave that away as payment for services. Returning to the DX format Nikons I needed a zoom as I found the 35mm f/1.8 just too restrictive for general use. Not happy with the performance of the 18-200mm or 18-300mm lenses it came back to the 18-105 which I was happy with or the 18-140 which turned out to be cheaper than the shorter range zoom. Turned out to be a good choice.
Very sharp in the field, even works well indoors taking advantage of the VR and the good low-light capabilities of the D5500. Oh yes, the VR seems to work quite well especially at longer focal lengths. I have taken to shooting with this combo rather than an Olympus OM-D E-M5 and the brilliant 40-150mm f/2.8. I have less processing work to do. While the Nikon 18-140mm isn't in the same class of lens, the overall result of the lens stabilisation and lower noise levels makes this better option (even if it doesn't look as sexy).
The lens is very well made. Despite being "refurbished", lens appeared brand new. Took a day of use to free up the zoom and focus rings - feeling a little course at first, these are now fine. One thing I would have liked is a focus distance scale for manual focus and a wider focus ring.
Like that this lens has a proper metal lens mount even though I never had problems with the plastic mount on the 18-105mm. Maybe it is just a psychological thing that gives the impression of better build.
Close focus is reasonable but nothing exceptional.
So compared to the 18-105mm, the 18-140mm seems to be better build quality due mainly to the mount, has a slightly better range with no apparent loss in quality and only adds a little extra bulk.
For the money, I would recommend this lens (but don't buy the full-boxed retail version, buy the white box ex-kit or refurbished). Also buy the lens hood to provide a bit of protection. -
Nice zoom range and robust sharp images in good light / or higher ISOBit expensive for what you get, you need post processing as Jpegs out of the camera are not that good.
Have owned mine for over two years I think, and to be fair it is not a bad lens. First used on a D5200 and Nikon kindly did not supply an update for lens distortion correction in camera. This limited me to post processing my images to remove the barrel or pincushion distortion, fortunately I use DXO software which has an automatic fix. When I moved onto my D5500, Nikon have included this lens in the supported lenses for auto distortion so now I can shoot Jpeg and use that straight from the camera - always a good option to have. If you have a D5300 and up, or a D3300 and up, you'll find it supported there too. As to quality, well, again, if you have objects or smaller tree branches in shot, with the sky as background, you will see some chromatic abberation. Regardless of what camera you have, this means, back to the computer. Optics Pro seems to remove it very much completely, not a lightroom user here so that is for others to comment on.
reviewed December 6th, 2016 (purchased for $330)
The lens is light, or at least, it is light compared to my sigma 105mm OS Macro, and my tamron sp vc 70-300mm lenses, and it partners a 5xxx series camera perfectly. I think that as long as you have very basic post processing skills you'll actually love the lens. It performs well at f/5.6 - 8.0 and with VR helping things along, you'll capture sharp images which give a nice three dimensional look. I would consider it good to around 110mm, beyond which, the optics are fighting to deliver, so unless you have to, avoid going all in at 140mm. If you must, just crank up the ISO to ensure not only your shutter speed is a bit higher, but also, your aperture is not wide open. All in all, considering the price, this is not a bad lens. If you need one for vacation travel, and don't want to risk a very expensive lens, or carry a heavy one around all day, this could be perfect.
I would try one out at a dealer rather than mail order one, I think that to get the best out of this lens, you need to understand it's behaviour and delivery with use, and not expect it to perform at every zoom setting and aperture, out of the box. From the mixed reviews I have read on it, I am thinking Nikon's quality assurance is not perfect here, with more manufacturing tollerance creeping into the lower priced lenses, if several of the elements, and the gearing, are all a bit marginal, they can combine to make one example of the lens mediocre, and the very next one off the line much better. I would definitely recommend the lens, as long as you have post skills and the patience to learn how to get the best from it. -
"... while it will mount on Nikon film or FX digital bodies, it will show obvious vignetting when set to any focal length."
reviewed February 2nd, 2016
Just a correction here: Unlike Canon, Nikon FX cameras are able to mount DX lenses without vignetting allowing you to use your previous lens collection after you move up from DX. -
zoom range, sharp at all focal lengths, correctable distortiona bit heavy for my purposes
I sought out this lens used for travel in place of my heavy 24-120 f4 and have been fully satisfied with it's performance. I use it mainly on my compact D5300. I've always owned only Nikon lenses and this one performs like a good Nikon lens.
reviewed October 8th, 2015 (purchased for $250)
This lens simply does what I want it to do without me noticing any drawbacks in the resulting images. In most cases the zoom range was all that was necessary. If I needed more length I switched to the other camera with the longer lens.
I made a preset for Importing into Lightroom that corrects the distortion so I never even see whatever distortion there may be.
The only drawback I've noticed with this lens is it's size and weight. It is more heavy than I'd like for use on the camera I've coupled it with but that's the trade-off I chose to live with for the image quality and versatility.
Call me more than satisfied. -
Compact, Good all-around zoom rangeCA is noticeable (bad IMO) at full zoom regardless of aperture setting
For non-critical work, snapshots, vacation photos, family get togethers, and when you are looking for only one lens to take with you on a trip to save weight and space, this lens is perfectly adequate. I've taken good pictures with it. It's not a bad lens. It's also not a very good lens either.
reviewed April 30th, 2015 (purchased for $275)
If you are more critical, want sharpness throughout the zoom range, need low light performance, and minimal chromatic aberration, look for a different lens -
Exceptional VR performance, fast & accurate focusing, and even sharpness through zoom range.Distortion typical for the genre. Price a bit high.
This is a great all-rounder for a D7000 or D7100. I have the 16-85mm, but sometimes I was needing more reach. This provides a very useful zoom range while staying light and compact. Surprisingly, the VR performance is exceptional (a solid 4+ stops), plus autofocus is quite fast, silent, and accurate. It also is evenly sharp at all focal lengths -- even when fully zoomed out. Also, central sharpness is very good wide open; corners need 1-2 stops for improvement. This was all a pleasant surprise, as you usually have to turn to Nikon's pro lenses (which are big in cost and bulk) to achieve performance that stays even at all apertures and focal lengths. Probably a benefit of the use of ED glass and aspherical elements, coupled with good design. I haven't sold my 16-85mm, which is still my standard zoom, but this is a great choice for family and vacation shots when the longer zoom range is useful.
reviewed March 10th, 2015 (purchased for $300) -
Light and good zoom rangeWill not survive a drop or big bump
I have had nikons for a long time, back to 1990. There were tests, but not near the concern that there is today for metrics on performance. Basically you looked at the pics to see how the color and sharpness compared.. And following on that some of my sharpest digital pics are from 2006-7 with my D80 and kit lens 18-135. The pics.. Looked three dimensional.. I traded the 18-135 for a weak 70-300 vr. I missed the 135 lens after it proved to beat its replacement hands down. And I looked for a new one the last couple of years. Then...
reviewed April 2nd, 2014
I bought the nikon d7100 with the 18-140 kit lens for $500 off list... So it is hard to compare an old lens to a new one with a 24 mp sensor.. My pics look a lot sharper with the 18-140 than many other lenses I have had.. This lens is a notch sharper than my 18-300 or 18-200 vr dx nikon gear. I believe that to be a fact. Another attribute is that the lens seems to have a better vr than the older lenses. The 67 mm filters are more common too. I also have an 18-105 lens that is put on the camera when my wife uses it. Make you a deal on that blurry mess of a lens..
Looking at others' reviews and numbers it performs better in my book than what is indicated above. It will break in two if you torque it any.. But what doesn't? I think it is sharp at wide and tele in the center and edges..
Seems to capture detail and color the other super zooms blur out. Call me crazy, but less is more. -
Good focal length ,good sharpness at 35mm and up ,good builtSoft at 18mm ,high distortion ,hard to focus on bright subject
This lens came with my D5200,I was expecting razor sharp images but unfortunately is soft at 18 mm .The best sharpness is at 140mm ,iQ is not great but is ok, distortion is high .
reviewed February 7th, 2014 (purchased for $300) -
Excellent focal length range, super sharp, little or no CA or distortion in normal use.Just a bit heavy. Also the focus and focal length collars turn somewhat tightly.
I think this one is even better than the superb 16-85 DX, with which I've taken thousands of pictures. On my cameras, a D7000 and a D90, the 18-140 will now be my workhorse walkabout lens. I've only taken a few dozen pictures with it so far, but I'm amazed at its sharpness and lack of CA. Because of fairly close-in focus, it's almost like a macro, especially if you crop the image severely, which is possible because of the lens's sharpness. I highly recommend this lens to anyone who is interested in real photography, as opposed to shooting pictures of test screens and brick walls. Out in the field it's great.
reviewed October 5th, 2013 (purchased for $460)
I have now taken thousands of pictures with this lens, all over the world. It's the most useful workhorse lens I have ever used on my D7100. I am so confident of its performance that I almost never take a second "just to be sure" shot of subjects I don't want to miss. It has held up very well, so I'm increasing the build quality rating to 9.
I have even bought a second, refurbished 18-140, so I can also carry one in my D610 bag to use with that camera in DX mode. It works well that way, and usually produces sharper images outdoors than the 24-85 on that camera. Of course, with the lower pixel count cropping of DX mode images is not as flexible. It does work very well, though, as all my DX lenses do on the D610 in DX mode.
Resolution of the 18-140 at 140 is still a slight problem. It's just not as sharp all the way out. But now I use my newly acquired 55-300 DX lens in the 70-200 range, which yields better resolution at 140.
I've now traded my 18-140 for another 24-85G AF-S VR FX. I now have two of those, one for each of my D7200 cameras. With my Kenko 1.4x TC, I now have the full range from 24 to 120mm. Beyond that, I have the amazing 70-300 AF-P VR DX. Having rid myself of the D610 camera, I now have two almost identical bags, each featuring a D7200 with a range of lenses, mostly duplicated. Grab 'n' go. -
Sharp beyond what I expected from a 18-140,good weight and balance in a D 7100
I belive the previous review was written in haste. This is a very good consumer lens, quick focus,sharp images,easy to carry. With my high resolution D 7100 it performs like a pro zoom. I hope they sell a lot of them.
reviewed October 4th, 2013
I am a pro and work for Fire Rescue. The VR is great, using this lens at night when there is a fire is a breeze to do with out external light -
resolutioncolour aberrations,distorshon on full zoom band.
I've just bought it. I'm upset. I expected much more from Nikon. The single advantage of that lens is the resolution. But it's not ectraordinary resolution. It's simply normal, like all other lenses have.
reviewed September 20th, 2013 (purchased for $500)
As for distortion, colour aberrations, vignetting these parameters are quite pour.
I've put some referrnce of the test photos below. It could give you some impressions about that lens:
Anyway 600 USD is not fair price for that lens. The price should be less than 300 USD.
So think twice before you will decide to buy that lens.


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Two large recalls were announced this week, involving more than 300,000 total units sold. The biggest is a recall of night lights that pose a risk of fire from a potential electrical short circuit in the light. The other big recall involves melamine cups and mugs that could break from the heat generated by a hot beverage. No injuries have been reported involving either product, but the recalls are noteworthy because of the large numbers involved.
A rundown of problematic products recalled this week:
DETAILS: Three models of AmerTac night lights, imported by Saddle River, N.J.-based American Tack & Hardware Co. The plug-in night lights were manufactured in China and sold at hardware stores, home centers and lighting showrooms from March 2009 through October 2010. The lights are rectangular-shaped with front housings that are either white- or nickel-colored plastic, with four horizontal vents and a round light sensor above the top vent. The backs of the night lights are gray plastic with the AmerTac logo, the model number and the identification code "SY" printed on them. Only models with "SY" printed on them are being recalled. The recall affects Amerelle night lights with the model numbers 71190 or 71190A listed on the light, as well as Amertac and Everyday Basics model lights with those numbers.
WHY: An electrical short circuit in the night light can cause it to overheat, and smolder or melt. That could result in a fire or burns.
INCIDENTS: Twenty-five reports of the night lights smoking, burning, melting and charring. No injuries reported.
HOW MANY: About 227,000
FOR MORE: Call 800-420-7511; visit www.recall-center.com or www.amertac.com
DETAILS: Food service beverage cups and mugs imported by Carlisle FoodService Products, of Oklahoma City, Okla. The cups and mugs are made from melamine resin, and were sold at distributor outlets and online between January 2011 and January 2012. The nine models of cups and mugs were sold in a variety of sizes from 7 to 16 ounces, and in the following colors: white, green, red, brown, black, ocean blue, sand, honey yellow, bone and sunset orange. The name "Carlisle OKC, OK" and model number are imprinted on the bottom, along with "Made in China" and "NSF."
WHY: The cups and mugs can break when exposed to hot liquids, so someone using a cup could suffer a burn injury.
INCIDENTS: Three reports of cups and mugs breaking, no injuries reported
HOW MANY: About 111,000
FOR MORE: Call 800-217-8859; visit www.carlislefsp.com/productsafety
DETAILS: Honda grass trimmers distributed by American Honda Motor Company, of Torrance, Calif., and sold at Honda Power Equipment dealers nationwide and online from May 2006 to February 2012. The grass trimmer is gas-powered and has a red engine housing with the word "Honda" on the top front and a bicycle handlebar-style grip. A label on the shaft includes the words "Honda" and "HHT35S." The grass trimmers weremanufactured in the U.S.
WHY: The shaft can crack and cause the lower gear case and cutting attachment to detach, posing a laceration hazard to the operator and bystanders.
INCIDENTS: Eleven reports of broken or cracked shafts. No injuries reported.
HOW MANY: About 14,000 in the U.S. and 3,600 in Canada.
FOR MORE: Call 888-888-3139; visit www.powerequipment.honda.com
DETAILS: Standard and economy hammock stands sold under the Twin Oaks brand, and distributed by Twin Oaks, of Louisa, Va. The hammock stands were sold in the Twin Oaks catalog and website, and at craft fairs and independent retail stores nationwide from December 2007 through June 2011. The Chinese-made stands are made of steel pipes and sold in green and black. They're used with all Twin Oaks double and family-sized rope hammocks, as well as all Twin Oaks fabric hammocks.
WHY: The foot brackets used to support the hammock can crack and cause the stand to collapse. Someone using the hammock could fall to the ground.
INCIDENTS: Forty-three reports of cracked foot brackets, including several reports of consumers who fell to the ground when the foot brackets collapsed. No injuries reported.
HOW MANY: About 2,300
FOR MORE: Call 800-688-8946; visit www.twinoakshammocks.com
DETAILS: Folding pocket utility knives manufactured by Greenlee Textron Inc., of Rockford, Ill. The Greenlee Hawk Bill knives were sold at distributors of professional tools and products nationwide from September through November 2011. The knives have a single curved 2.6-inch stainless steel blade and a 4-inch green and black plastic handle. The Greenlee name and logo are printed on the blade. The knives weremanufactured in China.
WHY: The blade-locking mechanism can fail, allowing the blade to fold inward toward the handle. Someone using the knife could suffer a cut.
INCIDENTS: One report of the blade lock failing. No injuries reported.
HOW MANY: About 1,800
FOR MORE: Call 800-435-0786; visit www.greenlee.com
DETAILS: Children's pajamas and sleepwear imported by Papa Bear Loungeabouts of Los Angeles. The garments were sold at children's clothing and specialty retailers nationwide and online from January 2004 to December 2011. Styles include pajama sets with tops and bottoms, separate pajama pants and nightgowns sold in boys and girls sizes 0-6X and 7-14. A garment label with the name "Papa Bear Loungeabouts" and a picture of a bear is sewn into the center back neckline on the outside of the garments. The Chinese-made sleepwear is 100 percent cotton poplin or 100 percent cotton flannel and the different styles come in a variety of colors and novelty print designs. They include cows, Scotty dogs, hotrods, basketball, sports, vintage, rodeo, rock and roll, bling, ballerinas, popcorn and more.
WHY: The garments fail to meet federal flammability standards for children's sleepwear, posing a risk of burn injury to children.
INCIDENTS: None reported
HOW MANY: About 10,000
FOR MORE: Contact the retailer directly where the sleepwear was purchased: CCS Group, doing business as Pajamamania, at 866-472-5262, including Sleepyheads and Pajamaheaven, of Erlanger, Ky., or the company's websites www.sleepyheads.com and www.pajamamania.com ; Cotton Tots, Inc., doing business as Bright Beginnings and Bestdressed Kids, of Austin, Texas at 512-453-0433, or www.bestdressedkids.com ; Comfykid.com, of San Jose, Calif. at 877-479-9040, or www.comfykid.com ; My Baby Pajamas of Scottsdale, Ariz. at 480-330-6380, or www.mybabypajamas.com ; Pajama Co. of New Canaan, Conn. at 877-757-4386, or www.thepajamacompany.com ; and Zulily, Inc., of Seattle at 855-812-0945, or www.zulily.com


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Five killed in IL village shooting; suspect slain in shootout
(CNN) -- Five people were killed and a 6-year-old girl was taken to a hospital after a shooting in a tiny western Illinois village early Wednesday, officials said.
The gunman, identified as Rick Odell Smith, 43, was killed after a chase and shootout with police hours later, authorities said.
"There is no reason to believe there is any further danger to the communities or that there are any other suspects," Illinois State Police Lt. Col. Todd Kilby said Wednesday.
Police said they were called to an apartment building in Manchester -- roughly 40 miles southwest of Springfield -- at about 4:30 a.m. (5:30 a.m. ET).
Smith, last known to live in Morgan County, Illinois, forced his way through the back door of an apartment and shot six people inside with a shotgun, police said.
Officers found five people dead, Kilby said. Their identities will not be released until autopsies are performed, Kilby said. The dead included two women, one man and two boys, police said.
A 6-year-old girl was transported to a hospital with gunshot wounds after the gunman "put her in the hands of a neighbor," Kilby said. She was in critical condition, he said.
Witnesses gave police a description of the vehicle in which the attacker fled, and police found Smith in an undisclosed location at about 7:15 a.m., Kilby said.
Police chased and eventually exchanged gunfire with Smith, who was wounded. He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Kilby said.
He said that Smith and the victims were acquainted, but not related, and that authorities are still investigating the exact nature of the relationship. The victims inside the apartment were related, he said.
The incident disrupted the village of about 290 people and surrounding communities, with area schools closing for the day, according to police in nearby Winchester.
Manchester is in sparsely populated Scott County. The county had fewer than 6,000 residents as of the 2010 census.
"Fortunately, this type of thing doesn't happen here very often, but this is proof that it can happen," Scott County state's attorney Michael Hill told reporters.


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Republika e Shqipërisë | |
Flag | Coat of Arms |
Capital | Tirana |
Government | Parliamentary republic |
Language | Albanian (official) |
President | Bajram Begaj |
Prime minister | Edi Rama |
Area | 11,100 sq mi |
Population | 2,875,000 (2020) |
GDP 2007 | $19.818 billion |
GDP per capita | $6,259 |
Currency | Lek |
Internet top-level domain | .al |
Albania (officially the Republic of Albania) is a Balkan country in the Balkans (south-eastern Europe).
Albania shares a border with Greece to the southeast, Macedonia to the east, Kosovo to the northeast, and Montenegro to the northwest. Western Albania lies along the Adriatic and Ionian Sea coastlines. Albania's primary seaport is Durrës, which handles 90% of its maritime cargo.
Over 90% of Albania's people are ethnic Albanian, and Albanian is the official language. Religions include Muslim (Sunni and Bektashi), Albanian Orthodox, and Roman Catholic.
In parts of northern Albania, families follow a code of ethics called the Kanun. This is not a religious document, but a sacred code of ethics. According to the Kanun, wealth is inherited through men, and women move to their husband's family's household when they marry. Marriages are normally arranged very early in life and women become the property of their husband's family.
The normal dress of men in Albania is usually pants and close-fitting caps. Women normally wear skirts covered by aprons. Their headgear is usually a headscarf and sometimes a veil. Albanians have an unusual way of regarding dress as a gender marker, however. Women who dress in masculine clothes are considered to be men and called virgjinesha, or 'sworn virgins'.
Under Kanun law, these virgjinesha take a vow to become a man. Once they have done this, they act like men in all respects, and are treated as men by their family and the wider community, including being referred to by masculine pronouns. However, unlike a normal man a virgjinesha never marries and preserves lifelong celibacy.
There are two reasons under Kanun law why a woman might choose to become a man. One is if she chooses not to marry a man whom her parents have chosen for her. The other is if her parents have no sons and they require her to become a 'man', because in Albania only men can inherit family wealth or head households.[1]
Government and Political Conditions
The unicameral People's Assembly (Kuvendi Popullor) consists of 140 seats, 100 of which are determined by direct popular vote. The remaining seats are distributed by proportional representation. All members serve 4-year terms. The Speaker of Parliament has two deputies, who along with eight permanent parliamentary commissions assist in the process of legislating Albanian affairs.
The President is the head of state and elected by a three-fifths majority vote of all Assembly members. The President serves a term of 5 years with the right to one re-election. Although the position is largely ceremonial, the Constitution gives the President authority to appoint and dismiss some high-ranking civil servants in the executive and judicial branches, and this authority can have political implications. The President is also commander in chief of the armed forces, and chairs the National Security Commission.
The Prime Minister is appointed by the President and approved by a simple majority of all members of the Assembly. The Prime Minister serves as the Chairman of the Council of Ministers (cabinet), which consists of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and other ministers. Members of the Council of Ministers are nominated by the Prime Minister, decreed by the President, and approved by a parliamentary vote.
Albania's civil law system is similar to that of other European countries. The court structure consists of a Constitutional Court, a Supreme Court, and multiple appeal and district courts. The Constitutional Court is comprised of nine members appointed by the Assembly for one 9-year term. The Constitutional Court interprets the Constitution, determines the constitutionality of laws, and resolves disagreements between local and federal authorities. The Supreme Court is the highest court of appeal and consists of 11 members appointed by the President with the consent of the Assembly for 9-year terms. The President chairs the High Council of Justice, which is responsible for appointing and dismissing other judges. The High Court of Justice is comprised of 15 members—the President of the Republic, the Chairman of the High Court, the Minister of Justice, three members elected by the Assembly, and nine judges of all levels elected by the National Judicial Conference.
The remaining courts are divided into three jurisdictions: criminal, civil, and military. There are no jury trials under the Albanian system of justice. A college of three judges, who are sometimes referred to as a "jury" by the Albanian press, render court verdicts.
Principal Government Officials
- President—Ilir Meta
- Prime Minister—Edi Rama
- Speaker of Parliament—Gramoz Ruçi
- Leader of the Government—Taulant Balla
- Leader of the Opposition—Rudina Hajdari
Foreign Relations
Albania is currently pursuing a path of greater Euro-Atlantic integration. Its primary long-term goals are to gain NATO and EU membership and to promote closer bilateral ties with its neighbors and with the U.S. Albania is a member of a number of international organizations, as well as multiple regional organizations and initiatives, including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the UN, the Stability Pact, the Adriatic Charter, and the World Trade Organization (WTO). In June 2006, Albania and the EU signed a Stabilization and Association Agreement, the first step to EU membership, which will focus on implementing essential rule of law reforms and curbing corruption and organized crime.
Albania maintains generally good relations with its neighbors. It re-established diplomatic relations with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia following the ousting of Slobodan Milosevic in 2000, and maintains excellent relations with the Republic of Montenegro, which gained its independence after the dissolution of the Serbia and Montenegro union in 2006. Although the final status of Kosovo remains a key issue in Albanian-Serbian relations, both nations are committed to achieving a peaceful resolution. Albanian, Macedonian, and Italian law enforcement agencies are cooperating with increasing efficiency to crack down on the trafficking of arms, drugs, contraband, and human beings across their borders. Albania has also arrested and prosecuted several ethnic-Albanian extremists on charges of inciting interethnic hatred in Macedonia and Kosovo. Tensions occasionally arise with Greece over the treatment of the Greek minority in Albania or the Albanian community in Greece, but overall relations are good, and Greece maintains the public image of being a strong proponent of Albania's eventual integration into the EU and NATO.
Since the fall of communism in Albania in 1991, the country has played a constructive role in resolving several of the inter-ethnic conflicts in south central Europe, promoting peaceful dispute resolution and discouraging ethnic Albanian extremists. Albania sheltered many thousands of Kosovar refugees during the 1999 conflict, and now provides logistical assistance for Kosovo Force (KFOR) troops. Albania is part of the international Stabilization Force (SFOR) serving in Bosnia, and Albanian peacekeepers are part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan and the international stabilization force in Iraq. Albania has been a steadfast supporter of U.S. policy in Iraq, and was one of only four nations to contribute troops to the combat phase of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Albania continues to work with the international community to restructure its armed forces and strengthen democratic structures pursuant to its NATO Membership Action Plan. NATO members continue to encourage Albania to address military reforms that will bring it closer to membership. Since 1999, Albania has spent approximately $108 million annually on military expenditures, roughly 1.35% of its GDP. According to Government of Albania projections, military expenditure will reach 2% of GDP in 2008. With bilateral and multilateral assistance, the Ministry of Defense is transitioning to a smaller, voluntary, professional military, and reducing the vast amounts of excess weaponry and ammunition that litter the country and pose a significant public hazard and proliferation risk. The Albanian Government and the international community are working together on a project that will make Albania a mine-free country by 2010. Most high- and medium-priority mine clearance has been completed in the mined areas of northeast Albania, a legacy of the 1999 Kosovo crisis.
Albania and the U.S. enjoy a military partnership and are signatories to treaties including the 2003 Prevention of Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Promotion of Defense and Military Relations and the 2004 Supplementary Agreement to the Partnership for Peace Status of Forces Agreement, which defines the status of American military troops in Albania and further enables military cooperation. In May 2003, Albania, Croatia, Macedonia, and the U.S. created the Adriatic Charter, modeled on the Baltic Charter, as a mechanism for promoting regional cooperation to advance each country's NATO candidacy. In spite of strong EU objections, Albania also signed in May 2003 a bilateral agreement with the United States on non-surrender of persons, based on Article 98 of the statute of International Criminal Court.
In 2004 President Bush authorized the use of the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction program funds for projects in Albania, marking the first time such funds are used outside the former Soviet Union. With this funding the United States is assisting the Government of Albania with the destruction of a stockpile of chemical agents left over from the communist regime. Under this program, Albania became the first nation in the world to complete destruction of declared chemical weapons holdings under the Chemical Weapons Convention in July 2007.
Scholars believe the Albanian people are descended from a non-Slavic, non-Turkic group of tribes known as Illyrians, who arrived in the Balkans around 2000 BC. After falling under Roman authority in 165 BC, Albania was controlled nearly continuously by a succession of foreign powers until the mid-20th century, with only brief periods of self-rule.
Following the split of the Roman Empire in 395, the Byzantine Empire established control over present-day Albania. In the 11th century, Byzantine Emperor Alexius I Comnenus made the first recorded reference to a distinct area of land known as Albania and to its people.
The Ottoman Empire ruled Albania from 1385 to 1912. During this time, much of the population converted to the Islamic faith, and Albanians also emigrated to Italy, Greece, Egypt and Turkey. Although its control was briefly disrupted during the 1443-78 revolt, led by Albania's national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skenderbeu, the Ottomans eventually reasserted their dominance.
The League of Prizren (1878) promoted the idea of an Albanian nation-state and established the modern Albanian alphabet, updating a language that survived the hundreds of years of Ottoman rule despite being outlawed. By the early 20th century, the weakened Ottoman Empire was no longer able to suppress Albanian nationalism. Following the conclusion of the First Balkan War, Albanians issued the Vlore Proclamation of November 28, 1912, declaring independence and the Great Powers established Albania's borders in 1913. Albania's territorial integrity was confirmed at the Paris Peace Conference in 1919, after U.S. President Woodrow Wilson dismissed a plan by the European powers to divide Albania among its neighbors.
During the Second World War, Albania was occupied first by Italy (1939–43) and then by Germany (1943–44). After the war, Communist Party leader Enver Hoxha, through a combination of ruthlessness and strategic alliances, managed to preserve Albania's territorial integrity during the next 40 years, but exacted a terrible price from the population, which was subjected to purges, shortages, repression of civil and political rights, a total ban on religious observance, and increased isolation. Albania adhered to a strict Stalinist philosophy, eventually withdrawing from the Warsaw Pact in 1968 and alienating its final remaining ally, China, in 1978.
Following Hoxha's death in 1985 and the subsequent fall of Communism in 1991, Albanian society struggled to overcome its historical isolation and underdevelopment. During the initial transition period, the Albanian Government sought closer ties with other countries in Europe in order to improve its economic conditions and introduced basic democratic reforms, including a multi-party system.
In 1992, after the sweeping electoral victory of the Democratic Party, Sali Berisha became the first democratically elected President of Albania. Berisha began a more deliberate program of economic and democratic reform but progress on these issues stalled in the mid-1990s, due to political gridlock. At the same time, unscrupulous investment companies defrauded investors all over Albania using pyramid schemes. In early 1997, several of these pyramid schemes collapsed, leaving thousands of people bankrupt, disillusioned, and angry. Armed revolts broke out across the country, leading to the near-total collapse of government authority. During this time, Albania's already inadequate and antiquated infrastructure suffered tremendous damage, as people looted public works for building materials. Weapons depots all over the country were raided. The anarchy of early 1997 alarmed the world and prompted intensive international mediation.
A UN Multinational Protection Force restored order, and an interim national reconciliation government oversaw the general elections of June 1997, which returned the Socialists and their allies to power at the national level. President Berisha resigned, and the Socialists elected Rexhep Meidani as President of the Republic.
During the transitional period of 1997–2002, a series of short-lived Socialist-led governments succeeded one another as Albania's fragile democratic structures were strengthened. Additional political parties formed, media outlets expanded, non-governmental organizations and business associations developed. In 1998, Albanians ratified a new constitution via popular referendum, guaranteeing the rule of law and the protection of fundamental human rights and religious freedom. Fatos Nano, Chairman of the Socialist Party, emerged as Prime Minister in July 2002.
On July 24, 2002, Alfred Moisiu was sworn in as President of the Republic. A nonpartisan figure, he was elected as a consensus candidate of the ruling and opposition parties. The peaceful transfer of power from President Meidani to President Moisiu was the result of an agreement between the parties to engage each other within established parliamentary structures. This "truce" ushered in a new period of political stability in Albania, making possible significant progress in democratic and economic reforms, rule of law initiatives, and the development of Albania's relations with its neighbors and the U.S.
The "truce" between party leaders began to fray in summer 2003 and progress on economic and political reforms suffered noticeably due to political infighting. The municipal elections of 2003 and national elections of 2005 were an improvement over past years, adding to the consolidation of democracy despite the continued presence of administrative errors and inaccuracies in voter lists.
In 2005, the Democratic Party and its allies returned to power, pledging to fight crime and corruption, decrease the size and scope of government, and promote economic growth. Their leader, Sali Berisha, was sworn in as Prime Minister on September 11, 2005.
Since the election, Prime Minister Berisha's government has made the fight against corruption and organized crime its first priority and has begun administrative and legal reforms toward that end. This brought repeated clashes with the opposition, which condemned the government's approach as unconstitutional and an attempt to undermine independent institutions. Both sides remain combative over a range of political and substantive issues.
Another politically contentious process was the pre-electoral period prior to the 2007 local elections. Although the February 18, 2007 local elections were generally peaceful and democratic, over-politicized debate during the preceding months resulted in procedural and administrative problems during the conduct of the elections. A major positive step forward was the performance of the police force.
The fragility of the Albanian electoral system was tested again during the parliamentary by-election in zone 26 (Shijak) on March 11, 2007. The left-wing opposition parties withdrew their commissioners from the polling stations and the counting center, in spite of prior concessions from the Central Elections Commission (CEC) to the opposition's demands. Opposition commissioners left and took with them one of the seals that mark the ballots. By midday, the opposition candidate also announced his withdrawal from the parliamentary race. However, the right of citizens to vote prevailed and the process continued thanks to the technical arrangements of the CEC. The only visible sign of violence was the wounding of a Democratic Party commissioner, who was fired upon by a militant.
Both elections were an indication of lack of political will to cooperate and of the imminent need for a comprehensive electoral reform of the present Albanian electoral system.
On July 20, 2007 President Bamir Topi was elected within Parliament after six members of the opposition coalition broke ranks to vote for his candidacy. Out of 90 deputies present at the session, 85 voted for Topi, while Neritan Ceka, head of the opposition Democratic Alliance party, won five votes. Topi, 50, a former agriculture minister, now succeeds President Alfred Moisiu for a five-year mandate.
Religious worship was banned in Albania until the transition from Stalinist state to democracy in the 1990s. Islam is now openly recognised as the country's major religion and most Albanians are Sunni Muslim by virtue of the nation's history: The Balkans has had centuries of association with the faith as many parts of it were part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire. While the empire is long gone, the culture remained in place. Significant populations of Albanian Muslims exist in a number of other European countries. [1]
Subsequent leaked emails revealed the cozy ties between George Soros and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, including one email where Soros directed Clinton's policy with respect to unrest in Albania, telling her that "two things need to be done urgently," which were to "bring the full weight of the international community to bear on Prime Minister Berisha" and "appoint a senior European official as mediator."[2] Both "urgent" tasks were subsequently performed by Clinton.
- ↑ http://www.jolique.com/gender/crossing_boundaries.htm
- ↑ https://wikileaks.org/clinton-emails/emailid/29008
Copyright Details | |
License: | This work is in the Public Domain in the United States because it is a work of the United States Federal Government under the terms of Title 17, Chapter 1, Section 105 of the U.S. Code |
Source: | File available from the United States Federal Government. |
Source = [2]


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What's Inside America's Banks? Frank Partnoy and Jessie Eisinger, The Atlantic
A law professor and journalist go spelunking in the annual report of one of America's most successful, conservative banks. What do they find? It's nearly impossible to tell what risks banks have buried in their balance sheets.
The Volcker Way Austan Goolsbee, Foreign Affairs
The former Obama administration chief economist writes that the legendary Federal Reserve chair is "one of the last remaining heroes of modern finance."
Basel Becomes Babel as Conflicting Rules Undermine SafetyYalman Onaran, Bloomberg News
The most recent set of global banking regulations, known as Basel II, is widely seen as one of the culprits for the financial crisis. So far, Basel III isn't looking much better.
The Great Canadian Maple Syrup HeistBrendan Borrell, Bloomberg Businessweek
Québec dominates the world's maple syrup market. It even has a "Global Strategic Maple Syrup Reserve." And 6 million pounds of it disappeared.
Growth Forecast Errors and Fiscal MultipliersOlivier Blanchard and Daniel Leigh, International Monetary Fund
Warning: this is a long, technical research paper about macroeconomic forecasting. But it's also an implicit admission by the chief economist of the International Monetary Fund that they've been getting it wrong for years.
Eunuchs of the Universe Tom Wolfe, Newsweek
America's foremost chronicler of Wall Street excess returns to the world of finance to find the masters of the universe reduced to something less.


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Joy Christian wrote:or Macroscopic Observability of Fermionic Sign Changes Under Rotations:
Some of the readers of this forum may know that I have proposed a macroscopic experiment to test Bell's theorem itself (as opposed to merely observing violations of Bell inequality in quantum experiments). One of the papers where I have proposed the experiment is now published in the International Journal of Theoretical Physics. The published version of the paper can be downloaded from this URL: http://link.springer.com/article/10.100 ... 014-2412-2 (the preprint version can be found here)...
We now sketch a classical experiment which could, in principle, distinguish the geodesic distance on SU(2) from that on SO(3), as calculated in the previous sections (cf. Fig. 4). It can be performed either in the outer space or in a terrestrial laboratory. In the latter case the effects of gravity and air resistance would complicate matters,
but it may be possible to choose experimental parameters sufficiently carefully to compensate for such effects.
Q-reeus wrote:My question is, has there been any attempt in the final IJTP article to quantify the combined gravitational and aerodynamic perturbations, for a given experiment parameter set, and at least roughly show they will not swamp the rather subtle differences your idealized calculations predict? The aerodynamic influence in particular would seem a forbidding problem, unless clever statistical techniques can somehow extract the ideal results from the 'noise' so introduced. But it all gets down to expected order-of-magnitude effects to begin with.
Q-reeus wrote:Thanks for quick reply Joy. Fair enough. One or two suggestions if I may. Seems to me it would be not much extra trouble to simulate 'zero g'. By arranging for each 'explosion' to coincide with a free-fall drop in the entire apparatus. Easy to estimate the requisite free-fall time given the estimated free-flight time. So there would be periodic fall-then-lift-and-repeat. Cheaper than hiring time on the international space station surely!
Also, elementary scaling law arguments (basically, Reynolds number) suggest that minimizing aerodynamic turbulence implies miniaturizing the physical dimensions as much as feasible. Which coincidentally has the added benefit of upping the repetition-rate thus shortening the overall run time required to get meaningful stats. Better add - imho!
Q-reeus wrote:Always good to get a nod from a recognized authority. I'm not, but just one more thought. An obvious thing that separates a macroscopic analogue from the quantum one is degrees of freedom - far more in the former than latter. Having looked briefly at mitigating effects of gravity and turbulence, one other thing just come to mind is elastic vibrational modes. When hemispheres with 'randomly' oriented but coaxially aligned surface weights pop, it's inevitable some of the energy goes into vibrational motion, in addition to the ideally assumed purely linear + angular KE. So it would pay to try and estimate how material parameter specific modulus, combined with shell thickness, weights alignment relative to hemisphere axis, and planned 'explosion g-forces' add to generate vibrational energy. Hopefully just one or two dominant modes need considering. I imagine not much of an issue for reasonably stiff material and reasonably thick-walled shells, but only calculations will make that known with any certainty. Not getting any simpler!
Joy Christian wrote:Thanks, Jay. The triumph of truth has been bittersweet, but let us now hope that there is someone courageous enough to actually realize the proposed experiment.
Yablon wrote:Joy Christian wrote:Thanks, Jay. The triumph of truth has been bittersweet, but let us now hope that there is someone courageous enough to actually realize the proposed experiment.
I would be interested in your comments on my recent paper at http://vixra.org/pdf/1411.0552v1.pdf, because it takes the view that FQHE is a direct experimental validation of fermion entanglement, and because your own work and proposed experiment is very much also entangled with entanglement.
Joy Christian wrote:I am glad you brought this up. In the published paper I have added two new paragraphs (reproduced below) concerning this issue, as a response to a referee's query:
Q-reeus wrote:Interesting observations. Your proposed experiment is based on spin measurements. The more one thinks about it, the more issues there are to deal with. As that passage reveals - there would be lots of finely timed measurements required for any run. And much post-processing to extract pertinent data. Given Alice-Bob Bell inequalities can manifest for either spin or linear polarized particle pairs, may there not be an analogous experiment involving purely linear polarization? If so, seems to me a considerably cleaner and simpler regimen might result. For instance it's easy to arrange for two arbitrarily rigid bars to fly apart with equal and opposite linear momenta. And for the bar axes to be precisely orthogonal to the velocity vectors. Not sure whether some form of randomization would be best at the bar or detector end of things, but all-in-all looks to have considerably fewer complications. Just some random ramblings.
Joy Christian wrote:No, two rigid bars flying apart with equal and opposite linear momenta will not do. There has to be relative rotation between the two constituents. Otherwise the difference between the topological properties of the rotation groups SU(2) and SO(3) will not manifest in the experiment (cf. the theoretical discussion in the paper).
That, however, does not mean that what I have argued theoretically is not applicable to the case of linearly polarized pairs of particles, such as photons. It just means that the theoretical analysis in the linear polarization case is somewhat different and more involved, as discussed in this paper: http://arxiv.org/pdf/1106.0748.pdf.
Joy Christian wrote:Hi Jay,
Thank you for the link. I just read your paper. I very much like your derivation of the FQHE from the orientation/entanglement relation. It is a yet another (and a very nice) example of the fundamental significance of that subtle relation. Just to clarify for other readers, this entanglement with environment has nothing to do with the quantum entanglement, or quantum mechanics. It is simply a not-so-obvious property of the physical space itself. In other words, there is nothing mysterious about it.
Joy Christian wrote:Both Richard Gill and Scott Aaronson have used all sorts of dirty political tactics to hurt me academically and financially. I therefore call upon the scientific community to have their professorships revoked when my proposed experiment finally vindicates my refutation of Bell's theorem.
Q-reeus wrote:Joy, could you provide details here of precisely how the mechanics of exploding ball scenario would be realised in practice? That is:
1: The exact geometry envisaged.
2: Method of joining of the two hemispheres.
3: Method of pre-stressing them - i.e. a third entity such as internal coil spring or compressed air, or somehow just internal stresses in hemispheres.
4: What the pre-stressing is exactly - i.e. Purely compressive load (internal spring or compressed air), combination of compression and torsion (internal spring), or 'warping' of hemispheres in some way etc (no internal spring or compressed air).
5: Method of (presumably thermally) triggering the separation.
6: Will the method yield an expected constant ratio of linear to angular momentum for each run? My guess is no, assuming the planned random 'spot' weighting of hemispheres, coupling to initially linear separation impulses, is the sole method of generating angular momentum.
7: How your alternate 'squishy balls' arrangement would differ from above in each point mentioned.
Joy Christian wrote:These are all very good questions. I don't have answers to them at the moment, because the answers will very much depend on the actual singlet system used in the experiment. As we speak, various alternatives are being considered and discarded by experienced experimentalists for one reason or another. As you say (and unlike the ignorant claims made by Richard Gill elsewhere), although doable according to David Weinland this is not going to be an easy experiment to realize in practice.
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As Jane Got A Gun financier Scott Steindorff scrambled on Tuesday evening [19] to replace no-show director Lynne Ramsay, the project's sales agent Exclusive Media said it was confident a new hire would be found within 24 hours.
Stone Village Productions head Steindorff told ScreenDaily that he was in negotiations with a potentially imminent replacement on the Natalie Portman Western after Ramsay failed to show up for the first day of shooting on Monday in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
The incident happened after what Steindorff claimed had been an eleventh hour attempt by Ramsay lawyer to renegotiate terms.
Meanwhile Exclusive Media, which handles international sales on Jane Got A Gun pursuant to a deal cut last autumn with Scott Pictures International, the company launched by Stone Village Productions affiliate Scott Pictures, issued the following statement:
"As the international sales team for Jane Got A Gun we are disappointed by the departure of Lynne Ramsay but Scott Steindorff and the production team have our full support and we are fully confident the film schedule will be back on track within 24 hours as we understand a replacement director is already in hand."
Ramsay's failure to appear is not the first mishap to befall the production. Earlier this month Portman's leading man, Michael Fassbender, left the project after what sources claim was a falling-out with the director.
Joel Edgerton, originally cast to play the villain, assumed Fassbender's role and Jude Law was brought on to play the gang leader.
Jane Got A Gun centres on a woman who enlists her ex-lover to save her outlaw husband from a gang. Brian Duffield wrote the screenplay.
Steindorff and banker Peter Nathanial are financing and producing with Portman through her Handsomecharlie Films label alongside Terry Dougas of 1821 and Chris Coen.
Ramsay was not available for comment.


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The apocalypse is surely near when Ramzan Kadyrov emerges as the voice of reason.
The ruthless leader of Chechnya is among dozens of Russians officials, priests, doctors and psychiatrists aiming to calm an anxious populace frantically preparing for the end of the world later this week.
"People are buying candles saying the end of the world is coming," Kadyrov said in comments published on his official website last week. "Does no one realise that once the end of the world comes, candles won't help them?"
For more than a month, Russians around the country have been buying up candles and matches, salt and torches in an effort to outsmart the apocalypse some believe will come when the Mayan calendar runs out on Friday.
In the coalmining town of Novokuznetsk, shelves nearly emptied of salt stocks last month as the city's residents prepared to ride through the end of the world. "60 tonnes were bought in one week," Yelena Zuyeva, a city official, said last week in comments carried on the local administration's website. "Today all trade companies are working and are ready for any level for consumer activity."
Online forums have been buzzing with people exchanging tips on what to eat after the entire human population is wiped out on Friday. "If I'm not mistaken, Russia makes all sorts of dehydrated products that are rich in all kinds of vitamins," a user named Yelena Portnenkova wrote on a forum called "How to live? What to eat?" on VKontakte, the Russian version of Facebook. "Yet filling a garage with stocks of food is not just pointless, but dangerous. If the apocalypse comes, then crowds of hungry, angry, terrified and horrified people will sweep into your garage just because they suspect they might find something edible."
Government officials have been called upon to calm fears. Vladimir Puchkov, Russia's emergency situations minister, urged Russians to call his ministry's hotline if they had any fears. His deputy, Sergei Anikeyev, added: "We don't believe in the 'end of the world' fable," adding hastily: "But we're ready to help people with any emergency situation."
With the end of the world just days away, Russians have moved from buying stocks to thinking long and hard about where to be when the lights go off. In Moscow, an underground bunker built during the second world war for the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin has offered its services: "We invite you to survive the apocalypse on 21 December in Bunker-42 on Taganka at 65 metres underground!" a note written in ominous red on its website cheerily reads.
Alexander Kolomeyets, the deputy head of Russia's Association of Independent Psychiatrists, lamented the apocalypse-mania that has gripped his country. "There are people who are prone to mental epidemics and I think that most of them are in our country," Kolomeyets said in an interview with local media in the far eastern city of Khabarovsk.
"What's happening in our country can be a lot scarier than the end of the world – so any negative information sticks. The more primitive the society, the stronger it lends itself to psychological epidemics. I think in this case our country isn't very civilised."


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This year's APS Bridge Program meeting (June 25 – 27, 2014) focused on the role of the Master's degree in advancing underrepresented minority students toward PhDs in physics.
July 8, 2014
APS Bridge Program Summer Meeting attendees outside APS Headquarters in College Park, MD.
The APS Bridge Program (APS-BP) held its annual meeting from June 25-27, 2014 at the American Center for Physics in College Park, MD. APS-BP aims to increase the number of underrepresented minority (URM) students who receive PhDs in physics. So far, the program has completed two rounds of APS Bridge Site selection and student selection since securing National Science Foundation funding in 2012.
Sixty-eight people attended the meeting, including representatives from APS, the American Institute of Physics (AIP), non-APS bridge programs, and colleges and universities across the United States. Representatives from newly selected Bridge Sites California State University Long Beach and Florida State University, as well as currently funded sites University of South Florida and The Ohio State University came to the meeting and had the opportunity to network with recently selected Bridge Fellows.
This year's meeting focused on the role of the Master's degree in advancing URMs in physics. In her plenary talk, Sheila Lange, University of Washington, discussed results from an analysis of the Survey of Earned Doctorates that indicates URM students take very different pathways to doctoral degrees compared to White and Asian American students. Several panel sessions featured representatives from both Master's and PhD-granting institutions who provided varying perspectives on the role the Master's degree plays in improving diversity in physics. A student panel featured physicists who followed various career and educational paths after earning their Master's degrees, providing insights, advice, and reflections on what the degree enabled them to accomplish.
The conference also featured sessions on research on mentoring, non-cognitive admissions measures, graduate admissions practices, and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) bootcamps. Presentations are available online. Bridge program organizers plan to hold another meeting next year.


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When someone shows signs of dementia, or Alzheimer's, one of the initial concerns is about finances. How are Mom and Dad managing their money? Are they paying their home and car insurance? Are they paying their utility bills? Are they easy targets of elder abuse?
Determining when a person with dementia needs someone else to manage their money, or when someone is no longer capable of entering into a legal contract is not always easy. There is no exact answer or solution. Often doctors, lawyers and financial advisers are working in a "gray area."
If you have concern that a loved one may not be capable of managing their money on their own, you may want to talk to them directly about it. Many times they will deny there is any trouble, and will say they don't need help. Chances are they know they need help, and they are afraid. They don't want to lose their independence or dignity. Some people won't know when they need help. Talking about it opens the door for accepting assistance.
A next step would be to accompany your loved one to their physician's visit, notifying the doctor ahead of time of your concerns. It is often times easier for an older person to accept a directive from a doctor rather than an adult child.
If your loved one needs help, you can assist in many ways, ranging from: monitoring their accounts online for suspicious transactions; helping them write their checks and managing the checkbook, and taking over all of their bill paying and financial responsibilities. Watch for potential elder fiduciary abuse through junk mail schemes, such as letters telling them they won the lottery or notices asking them to send money to "save their social security."
This article touches on some of the thoughts and questions involved in the topic of elders and their finances. http://tiny.cc/ledrf
A geriatric care manager can be an excellent ally when talking to a loved one about difficult topics, or assess the situation neutrally and professionally.
Trust your instincts and watch for signs that your loved one may need more assistance. Be sensitive and compassionate, keeping in mind it is probably a sensitive and powerful issue for everyone involved.
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We'll send you occasional tips and resources to help you care for your loved one. We'd love to connect with you!


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It's not enough that they want to upend the modern workplace. Now the millennials are out to upend marriage as well. Wedding planners and finger-wagging moralists are beside themselves. But maybe the kids are on to something — as long as it doesn't go too far.
The millennials are the much-maligned generation born in the 1980s through the early 2000s, raised on Harry Potter and 9/11, tech-savvy children of doting parents now entering a work world shaking from the Great Recession. They are, supposedly, too focused on self-actualization and not enough on making money for others. They expect the workplace to kowtow to them. I'm not sure that's a bad thing, but I understand critics blaming those same doting parents for continuing to provide them with a place to live and free health care coverage until they're 26 (thanks, Obamacare!). With goodies like these, who needs to work?
And now comes a new report from researchers at the Urban Institute: Millennials aren't getting married either. The percentage who will be unmarried by the time they hit age 40 could be as high as 30 percent, predicts the study. Of course, that still means 70 percent will get married, but that figure is well below the marriage rates for early baby boomers (91 percent), late boomers (87 percent), and Gen Xers (82 percent). The Urban Institute researchers appropriately offer a caveat — these are forecasts, after all — and acknowledge that what might really be going on is that millennials are just postponing marriage rather than forswearing the institution altogether.
Let's hope so. Not getting married at all could prove tragic.
The onset of adulthood — post-college until age 30 or so — has historically been settling-down time: finding a job, coupling up, getting married, having kids. It's a world thoroughly plumbed by television shows from "Friends" to "How I Met Your Mother." For those of that age, there are times when it seems as if weddings dominate the social calendar, as one friend after another becomes engaged, plans the event, and then insists everyone show up. Too much money is spent on all of this; indeed, the wedding business is a major $52 billion industry, with the average now costing almost $30,000. The day itself leaves parents of the bride financially broken (an antiquated tradition, by the way), friends of the bride with dresses they'll never again wear, and everyone else with a mixture of aching heads and embarrassed regrets.
And for all that, there's a strong chance they'll just divorce anyway.
I overstate my cynicism. I've been to a number of great weddings, some quite recently. Still, one can't help think that postponing wedlock would, for many, be a smart thing. Older adults would doubtless embark upon marriage with a greater seriousness of purpose. The day would be less about celebration and more about commitment. And who knows? With both parties steadily employed, perhaps mom and dad wouldn't have to foot the bill.
But we should worry if the postponement is permanent. The Urban Institute data suggest that, straight or gay, people continue to couple up; they just don't get married. That's a problem. It's not only the legal benefits of marriage — such as better tax treatment, visitation rights, and inheritance. Marriage is also a shield against poverty; the married are economically more secure (even when it comes to divorce). Then too — and of great consequence — children thrive better when raised in stable households.
Troubling too is that marriage rates — including for millennials — break along demographic lines. Better off and white individuals tend to get married far more frequently than those who are less well off or minorities. It's a "marriage gap," argues social observer Kay S. Hymowitz, creating a kind of matrimonial underclass "destined for separate and unequal futures."
The upshot: Millennials waiting for marriage is probably to the good. But they — and everyone else — will regret it if they wait too long.
Tom Keane can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com.


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Saturdays May thru October!
When: Every Saturday, 8:30AM-2PM
Where: NW Miller & Third St
Historic Downtown
Gresham, OR
Get Map!
Fresh & Local
Shoppers will find all-natural meats and cheeses, fresh-picked produce, nursery stock and fresh-cut flowers, hand-crafted jewelry, soaps, artwork, and much more. Live music and food are always part of the market.
Located on Northwest Miller Avenue between Second and Third Street 8:30AM to 2PM each Saturday now through Oct. 29.